USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume III > Part 2
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Failing to secure the admission of the State, Governor Evans drifted out of politics forever, and turned his attention to matters of public improvement in Colorado,-principally the building of railways, an account of which appears elsewhere. If, as alleged, he added some hundreds of thousands to his already large fortune from the profits, by turning to the next page of the ledger we shall find that the advantages to the State have brought millions in the ultimate enhancement of values. We cannot discover that he robbed or plundered any one. He was simply one of the largest stockholders, making the larger use of his own means, and consequently was fairly entitled to larger dividends when the time came for making dividends. Such matters are subject
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to devices and intrigues no less than the sciences of politics and war. Each leader of men has his own methods. Governor Evans had his way of doing things, that was not always accepted as the better way, but in contemplating the final effect, we cannot avoid the conclusion that "his name is the symbol of a vast activity" in planning, scheming and building the railways that now are so important an element of our internal economy, our wealth and high standing among the States of the Union.
From these beginnings sprung countless others. Although relent- lessly assailed by vilest slanders, his character and motives blackened, measureless censure visited upon him, when the storm passed and the results were seen, it was found that a great stride had been taken, a new link forged in the endless chain of human progression. During all those years he was the foremost citizen, without whose efforts the record would have been materially modified. He is an old man now, finally retired from active pursuits, resting upon the laurels he has won, but he was then, though well advanced in years, in the full vigor of manhood, in the very flower of his mental and physical strength. His name and works will cause him to be remembered as the most useful man of his time.
It would be a waste of space to set down even a hasty resume of the administration of his successor, Alexander Cummings. The account already given in a preceding volume may stand as a fair epitome. He too, would have been an aggressive aspirant for the Senatorship could he have framed the political structure to his liking. Since he could not he became a bold iconoclast, directing his time and capabilities to the destruction of the existing order. After a brief and extremely turbulent reign he passed out of history, leaving no good deeds behind him worthy of even a paragraph in the annals of that period.
Governor A. Cameron Hunt lacked every essential element of a wise politician. Possessing marvelous energy, it was generally misdirected when dealing with matters of state, and led him finally into the deep waters of political and financial ruin. His superior capabilities lay with
2 11I.
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his mastery of the Indian character. The greater part of his Executive term was devoted to the settlement of questions relating to the aborigines, the conclusion of treaties, and in devising means for their engagement in civilized pursuits. The savages knew him better, respected him more profoundly, and obeyed his orders more implicitly than any man ever given to them as a leader, and there is no doubt that had he been permitted to complete his plans for their regeneration, they would have been more successful than any others ever inaugurated for them. But at the very beginning of his endeavors to ameliorate their condition he was relieved by Edward M. McCook, whose appointment under the circumstances and the pledges made to Hunt that he should be retained for the purpose of executing his projects in behalf of the Utes, cannot be regarded in any other light than as an act of treachery to a faithful and serviceable officer. McCook had no just claim to the succession. As events proved, he demanded it chiefly because of the large appro- priations to be expended in the purchase of supplies for the very tribes for whom Hunt had negotiated them. The use he finally made of them, has been recounted. It was a scheme of rascality and plunder without a parallel in our annals.
Next came Samuel H. Elbert, who immediately instituted a series of great beneficent measures for the reclamation of our arid lands, by the widest possible distribution of the waters of all available streams for their fructification. While engaged in this wholly commendable endeavor, McCook was plotting a conspiracy for his overthrow, which, after a struggle that became national in its character, succeeded, when there began a new reign of discord that spread discontent throughout the populace, and checked their progress. It was this more than any other influence exerted, which brought general acceptance of Statehood in 1876.
John L. Routt came as pacificator, to work out and prepare the evolution from dependence to independence. Through his well con- ceived policy, harmony was at length restored, and the commonwealth ushered into the family of the Union. This opened a new era. It set
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in motion the wheels of progress. New industries sprang up on every side. Although not a statesman in any sense or degree, except that he was a sagacious politician, an honest manager according to the best lights afforded by his somewhat extended experience, he succeeded in launching the new State under the most favorable auspices. For the first time contentment prevailed, and with it all material things began to assume more favorable aspects. With earnest and capable represen- tation in Congress, the influence brought to bear upon every department of government, with a munificent heritage in the form of land grants for the endowment of colleges and public schools, for buildings and internal improvements, the people found themselves, together with sovereignty, invested with the elements of great future wealth, which, rightly cared for and protected by proper laws and honorable administration, would result in incalculable benefit to their children.
Routt's management of State affairs was in most respects admirable and satisfactory. Some of his more important acts were of far reaching effect. We cannot look back upon this beginning without sincere congratulations upon the patent fact, that it was a wise and most excellent revolution. The discordant elements that had so long loaded the air with maledictions against misgovernment, were hushed, peace and prosperity installed, orderly development begun, for the people were emancipated from odious vassalage.
Frederick W. Pitkin was perhaps the ablest man that has held the chief magistracy of our State. None have possessed more fervid am- bitions, or been guided by keener prescience than he. All he lacked of the powers which impel men of genius to consummate the measure of great aspirations, was physical strength to support and push forward the plans of his richly cultivated mental powers. He possessed in an emi- nent degree, the mind to plot and plan, to see things at a great distance, to forecast the future, the effect of his policy upon the public mind, the consequences of every important measure, but was frequently bent and broken by weakness of body which interrupted the regular course, and sometimes deflected his projects into unfortunate, not to say dangerous
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channels. He was an accomplished lawyer, an acute political manager, who kept somewhat ostentatiously to the fore the cause of the people ; courted the popularity of the masses, more especially the voting masses, rather than that of the professional politicians, for whom he had a dis- tinct course of treatment that kept them also well in hand. He made sacrifices to his policy which, like Andrew Johnson's, was made too much the guiding principle of his leadership, and in time produced violent reaction. But no man has been intrusted with the helm of state who gave deeper watchfulness to the public finances. He treated the State Treasury, the officers charged with the collection of revenue and its expenditure, exactly as if he were personally responsible for their acts. Legislative appropriation bills were carefully scanned, and if improper, promptly vetoed ; all laws were rigidly examined by the light of his profound knowledge of the effect of statutes, their con- stitutionality, and their influence upon the general weal. He was inces- santly hovering about the offices of the Auditor and Treasurer, requiring statements from them as to receipts and expenditures, examining bills, and to the full extent of his ability protecting the treasury from improper encroachments. During his first term, State warrants rose to a premium of one or two per cent. Possessed of a moderate fortune which yielded him a sufficient income for his private needs, his salary was given to charitable works. Pitkin was a fine conversationalist, an easy, fluent, entertaining talker, well informed on many subjects, a good reasoner, and an interesting public speaker. He, too, aspired to a seat in the United States Senate as the possible issue of his entree into politics, and when the next turn of the wheel came round and there was a vacancy to be filled, after the expiration of his second term and just before his death, he became an active candidate for that office. At the outset in the pre- liminary caucuses of his party, he controlled more votes than any of his numerous competitors, but not a majority. After a long struggle he was defeated, and thus closed his political career.
Governor Pitkin died in Pueblo, December 18th, 1886. No other of our prominent men has achieved so conspicuous a place in Colorado
X 2 Wijhe
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politics in so short a time. In 1874 he came to us a physical wreck, seeking the far famed climate of the mountains as a last resort, locating in the pure and bracing atmosphere of the San Juan region, which soon raised him from the stretcher to his feet, with a new lease of life scarcely hoped for by himself or friends. When nominated for the Governorship, those who knew him best believed he would grace the office with honor and intelligence, in which no one was disappointed. The same conviction induced them to put him forward for the Senate. After this contest his health failed rapidly and in a few months ended his life, just at its prime. The remains were brought to Denver, exposed in state at the executive rooms, and followed by a large concourse of people, he was laid to final rest at Riverside.
The hasty review foregoing, brings our chronicles to the close of the second volume. It is now thought proper to recall very briefly some of the salient points in subsequent events.
On the 16th of April, 1880, public announcement was made that Westbrook S. Decker, one of the ablest, most conscientious and efficient prosecutors the Federal government had selected for the management of its legal cases in Colorado, had resigned his office to re-engage in the regular practice of law. It is a noteworthy instance of official integrity, combined with indefatigable industry, for when the acts of this officer are compared with those of a majority of his predecessors, they shine out, if not lustrously-for there is little in such an office to create marked attention, certainly few opportunities for the attainment of great dis- tinction,-in strong contrast against many dark shadows. Familiarity with the conduct of the office of public prosecutor in the United States Court, and in those of the districts under the Territorial regime, teaches us that for the most part the multiplication of fees was the paramount consideration and the controlling incentive. We have seen scores of men brought to these courts upon charges, that when investigated, could not be sustained ; poor men to whom the costs meant impoverishment, arrested for petty violations of the revenue laws; for cutting timber upon the public domain, for trespasses of the most insignificant character,
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and in most cases the officers were inspired by the sole purpose of increasing their fees. At length the judges, who were honest and wisely discriminating in their judgments, took emphatic cognizance of the wrongs committed by these greedy cormorants, reprimanded them from the bench, dismissed the causes that could not be sustained, and warned them against repetitions of the offense. This, if no others could be cited, although the instances are almost innumerable, bears testimony which should awaken every good citizen to the gigantic evils of the fee system in our courts and public offices. It is a rank injustice to the people that should never have been permitted to stand one hour after its pernicious effects were made known, yet we find it engrafted upon our State Constitution, and so firmly entrenched in law as to be almost ineradicable. Why it has not been made a matter of more emphatic remonstrance by the taxpayers who are annually plundered of large sums for the support and often for the unrighteous enrichment of professional politicians who are interested only in the spoils, passes understanding.
The two great evils of our political system are the surrender by the people of their rights to the caucus and the more damnable primary, and the enormous burdens entailed by the feed offices. By general acquiescence they have become stronger than the people, since every effort thus far made to expunge them from our methods has been over- come by the pestiferous activity of the few who are interested in main- taining them. Although the practice was instituted and is still upheld by the national government, and the curse attached had been, prior to the incoming of the State, one of which all decent people felt the shame and the burden, Judge Decker, as the first United States District Attorney, established an honorable precedent for the guidance of his successors, all of whom 1 believe have honorably executed their trusts. Nevertheless the system can never be accepted as a sound or wise prin- ciple of government, and it cannot be too quickly uprooted.
Judge Thomas M. Bowen, of the Fourth Judicial District of the State, resigned his office May 25th, 1880, and was succeeded by T. A. McMorris of Colorado Springs, by appointment, to serve until the
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election of his successor. On the date just named the Republican State convention assembled in Denver to select delegates to the national convention of that party to be held in the city of Chicago. It named as such delegates, John L. Routt, Lafayette Head, Amos Steck, George T. Clark and Colonel John A. Ellet of Boulder. This was. the convention that nominated James A. Garfield for president, and Chester A. Arthur for vice-president.
On the 3d of June, the Democratic State convention met in Denver and elected Alva Adams, John F. Humphreys, Charles S. Thomas and Samuel E. Browne as delegates to the national convention of that party to be held in Cincinnati, which in due course, nominated General Winfield S. Hancock for president, and William H. English for vice-president.
For the selection of candidates for State officers and for repre- sentative, the Greenback party came first into the field June 17th, 1880, and nominated:
For Governor .- Rev. A. J. Chittenden of Boulder.
For Lieutenant Governor .- Albert Campbell.
For Secretary of State .- G. W. King of Clear Creek.
For Treasurer of State .- John H. Pickel of Arapahoe.
For Attorney General .- L. F. Hollingsworth of San Juan. For Representative in Congress .- Joseph Murray of Larimer.
July 12th, 1880, Amos Steck resigned the office of County Judge, for Arapahoe County which he had filled with signal ability, when the county commissioners appointed Hon. H. P. H. Bromwell, who qualified, and was about to enter upon the discharge of its duties when it was discovered that under the statutes Bromwell was rendered ineligible by his membership in the State Legislature, and could not take another office during the term for which he had been elected. His resignation of the first would not permit him to accept the second, therefore the Board appointed B. F. Harrington to the vacancy, who was subsequently elected by the people, holding the office for six years, and was noted as a very honest and capable jurist.
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The regular Democratic State convention this year was held at Leadville, August 18th, Charles S. Thomas, chairman. The following nominations were made:
For Representative in Congress .- Robert S. Morrison of Clear Creek.
For Governor .- John S. Hough of Hinsdale.
For Lieutenant Governor .- W. C. Stover of Larimer.
For Secretary of State .- Charles O. Unfug of Huerfano.
For Treasurer of State .- Dr. A. Y. Hull of Pueblo.
For Auditor of State .- R. G. Bray of Rio Grande.
For Attorney General .- John C. Stallcup of Arapahoe.
For Superintendent of Public Instruction .- Dr. Crook of Lake.
For Regent State University .- Max Herman of Boulder.
For Presidential Electors .- S. S. Wallace of Las Animas; John S. Wheeler of Summit; N. Nathan of Costilla.
The Republicans held their convention in the same city August 26th, Charles W. Tankersley chairman, W. B. Felton secretary. The following nominations were made:
For Representative in Congress .- James B. Belford.
For Governor .- Frederick W. Pitkin by acclamation.
For Lieutenant Governor .- George B. Robinson of Summit. For Secretary of State .- Norman H. Meldrum of Larimer.
For Treasurer of State .- W. C. Saunders of Weld.
For Auditor of State .- Joseph A. Davis of Custer. For Attorney General .- Charles H. Toll of Arapahoe.
For Superintendent of Public Instruction .- Leonidas S. Cornell of Boulder.
For Regents of the University .- J. C. Shattuck of Weld, and James Rice of Pueblo.
For Presidential Electors .- Ebenezer T. Wells, A. C. Hunt and William A. Hamill.
The delegates for the Fourth Judicial District nominated J. C. Helm to succeed T. A. McMorris.
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The campaign was briskly contested on both sides, until the night of the 27th of October, when the Republicans organized a great procession in Denver, which was followed by the opposite party on the night of the 30th. Through these exhibitions and the fiery eloquence of orators on both sides, much excitement was created. On Sunday, the 31st, a disgraceful riot occurred, beginning shortly after noon and increasing in violence throughout the day, producing uproar and con- fusion until after midnight. In the Democratic procession of the previous evening were borne a number of transparencies, expressive of the contempt of the bearers for the Chinese, stating that because of their presence here, American women were robbed of support, conse- quently had been reduced to a state of starvation; that the "Chinese must go," etc., all calculated as supplementary inflammation to the intense hostility aroused by indiscreet public speakers, who took their cues from that celebrated and infamous forgery known all over the nation as the "Morey letter." The exact cause of the outbreak is not known, but the following details have been gathered by the author from the best informed sources. On Wazee street in the lower part of the city, then known as the "Chinese quarter," was a drinking saloon with billiard tables, kept by a white man, but made the resort of Chinamen, some of whom were present and engaged in a game, when two rough looking men, both intoxicated, rushed in with wild shouts for Hancock, and crying, "Down with the Chinese!" they seized the players, threw the billiard balls about the table, and finally struck their submissive victims in the face, which incited one of them to draw a revolver for defense against further attacks, whereupon he was again struck or slapped in the face. Breaking loose from their assailants, they retreated toward the back door, when just as he reached it the one with the pistol raised it and fired, but without doing any damage. As usual in such cases, a large number of street gamins collected about the place, and added to the excitement by reiterating the popular cry, "Down with the Chinese !" It was not long before bricks and stones began to fly, and a general assault precipitated upon all the Chinese houses and laundries in the
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vicinity. This brought the police upon the ground, but by this time the crowd became so great as to block all the streets, and they were powerless to control the turbulent spirits then waging a frantic and destructive war upon every place in the quarter. They broke down doors, smashed windows, fired upon every celestial who showed his head, and incited the most destructive and alarming riot ever witnessed in Colorado. Intel- ligence of these proceedings being conveyed to the mayor,-Richard Sopris, -- he drove to the spot and attempted to restore order by com- manding the crowd to disperse, but his voice was drowned by infuriate hootings and howlings. He then ordered out the fire department, which drenched the rioters with water, but produced only a temporary cessation of hostilities. The liquor saloons throughout the city were closed, but it did not check the demonstrations. From Chinatown the clamor spread to all parts of the city occupied by Chinese, who as soon as found, were beaten, outrageously abused, their places ransacked, property des- troyed, and the entire brotherhood forced to hide themselves wherever a safe refuge could be found. One poor creature was caught, terribly beaten, dragged by the neck with a rope, and died the same evening from injuries thus inflicted. Several others were severely injured. The excited mob raged through the city like bands of demons, uttering loud threats to kill and burn. The police force being very small and without a chief to manage, that officer (Hickey) having been suspended upon charges then awaiting trial, it was of little use in repressing the wild dis- order. The city council met at six o'clock, and appointed General David J. Cook chief for the emergency, empowering him to employ as many special officers as might be necessary. Cook had already secured the valuable cooperation of Captain Albert H. Jones, Commander of the Chaffee Light Artillery, with whom he had ridden over the disturbed sections, and having observed the general course of things, had formed definite plans of action. The battery was then ordered to be in read- iness for immediate duty, supported by Captain Paddock's company of infantry (the Governor's Guard). The sheriff of the county (Mr. M. Spangler) had taken the field with all his deputies, and these officers
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acting in conjunction, began effective measures for quelling the riot, arresting the leaders, and rescuing the persecuted victims from further assaults and cruelties.
After sacking a number of laundries and dwellings in the lower part of the city, the mob began searching for the isolated places in the upper portion. They attacked Sing Lee at the corner of Nineteenth and Lawrence streets, battered down the doors, smashed the windows, and demolished everything breakable that was to be found. They seized Sing Lee and his co-laborer, dragged them out into the darkness and brutally pounded them with clubs. Another was seized, a rope tied about his neck and he was dragged through the streets. Every laundry they could find was plundered and destroyed. At one of these places they were confronted by a notorious gambler and desperado named "Jim Moon," who stood in front with a cocked revolver in each hand, resolved to protect that house, single handed and alone. As the crowd advanced he raised his pistols and commanded a halt, saying, "This Chinaman does my washing, and 'By the Eternal!' you shall not harm a hair of his head." The leaders knowing the man, wisely left that house to its protector, and surged on in pursuit of other prey. They swept over Cherry Creek into West Denver, attacking and destroying as they went. Meanwhile, Cook and Spangler were collecting all the Chinese discoverable and taking them in squads to the county jail as the only place of safety. The shrieking mob raged through the streets until midnight, when the frenzy subsided.
The troops, though under arms, were not brought into service. Had these forces been effectively employed at the earlier stages, it would have done much toward quelling the disorder and dispersing the rioters. As it was, by the direction of the commander-in-chief, who seems to have been in sympathy with the effort to expel the Chinese from the city, they were kept in concealment the greater part of that tempestuous night, without opportunity to aid the civil authorities.
The following Monday a large number of citizens met at Sheriff Spangler's office. Business had been suspended for the day for the
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consideration of measures looking to the public safety. While all danger had passed with the passion that caused it, the public mind was by no means free from apprehension that the outbreak of Sunday would be renewed, unless vigorous efforts were made to prevent a recurrence. At this meeting a committee of control was appointed, and immediately began its work. In the afternoon a special meeting of the city council was held, and resolutions adopted authorizing Chief Cook to muster a force of one hundred men to patrol the streets and guard the election polls next day. Sheriff Spangler also organized a posse of 500 men for the same purpose. While the public fear of a renewal of the disturb- ances at some of the polling places was great, owing to the many alarming rumors set afloat, the day passed quietly and without incidents of more than ordinary import. On Monday evening the largest popular demon- stration ever witnessed in the city attested the condemnation by the people of every unlawful attempt to interfere with the orderly course of government. Although instituted by the Republican party, its purpose was rather to give emphatic expression to the abhorrence by all good citizens of the disgraceful scenes recently enacted, than for mere politi- cal effect. As a consequence, the State and national tickets of that party received overwhelming majorities of the popular vote, much greater perhaps than would have been cast but for the violent occur- rences just mentioned.
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